Creating the Digital Infrastructure Capital of the World

Washington, D.C.—the metropolitan area of more than six million people—is known for many significant contributions to the world, whether it is housing the Capitol of the United States, leading business innovation or honoring the arts. But for those who live and breathe in the tech world, we consider one of Metro D.C.’s most significant contribution to be something entirely different.

Did you know Loudoun County, VA—just outside of downtown Washington, D.C.—is known as the “Internet Capital of the World”? In fact, the Loudon County Department of Economic Development in Virginia states that that more than 70%ⁱ of the world’s internet traffic funnels through data centers in the Loudoun County. And according to 451 Research, Northern Virginia is the current largest data center market in the world.ⁱⁱ So yes, this metro is a powerhouse when it comes to connecting the world online.

“Ashburn, in Loudon County just outside of Washington, D.C., is a central connectivity hub and critically important to the U.S. cloud and infrastructure story,” said Kelly Morgan, Research Director at 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence. “Enterprises that previously did not see a need to improve networks may now, as a result of the pandemic, be open to new approaches and ready to try network hubs. This is placing an increased focus on datacenters that can offer direct connections to the cloud with private on-ramps.”

Digital Infrastructure Capital of the World

While it was once covered with cows and cornfields, metro D.C. established itself as a tech hub in the infancy of the technology boom in the United States. Businesses followed the lead of the U.S. government and moved operations to the region—and D.C. became a place for the world to “get online.” At this time, the internet was considered a destination—a place to go to find information. As we know, internet usage evolved immensely, and now this infrastructure has transformed the way we live and work. We call this the digital advantage, and we now use the internet as a backbone for everything from collaborative telemedicine in London to banking and financial systems in Barcelona to innovating IoT devices in Mexico City.

The team at Equinix knew the tech giants in metro D.C. were creating more than a place to find a dot-com—we had the opportunity to take it one step further and help customers and partners fuel business growth, power connections and create business competition. Regardless, the universal mandate for internet access has evolved and created the universal need for a digital platform that enables digital leaders to power success. This is the only way we can create a digital ecosystem to fuel the digital economy.

Equinix believes digital infrastructure is our greatest source of competitive advantage. Digital leaders need one place to bring together and interconnect the foundational infrastructure to power success around the world. You need to build a digital infrastructure to create, build and transform your business. And much of that work, regardless of where your business is headquartered, makes its way through metro D.C.

DC1: Leading Metro D.C Since 1999

This Equinix team speaks with credibility and history. In fact, Equinix opened our very first International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data center in Loudoun County, affectionally called DC1, back in 1999. We now have 15 densely interconnected data centers across four cities in the metro area offering direct connection opportunities with 125+ industry and government organizations. Our Washington, D.C. IBX data centers are ideal colocation sites for agencies and companies subject to government regulations and compliance.

Equinix D.C. facilities enable customers to be part of a rich industry ecosystem. Our 15 D.C. data centers are strategic communications hubs for the eastern United States and major communications gateways to Europe. Equinix customers have access to the hub that connects to networks and businesses around the world.

Equinix metro D.C. data centers thrive for many reasons, and our top-notch innovators, leaders and thinkers are at the top of the list. In fact, The Washington Post recently recognized Equinix in its “Top Workplaces 2020” report, highlighting 200 companies in the D.C. area with the highest ratings from their employees. Equinix is ranked 31 among 75 midsize companies, which is a huge testament to the team in the D.C. area and our colleagues around the world who support them every day.

The Future of Digital Infrastructure in D.C.

Equinix is committed to working with our customers and partners around the world to make metro D.C. the “digital infrastructure capital of the world”. We know this is a smart bet, and it falls in line with what 451 Research is seeing in the market as well, as they are predicting Northern Virginia will remain the largest data center market in the world for the foreseeable future due to strong demand in the area.ⁱⁱⁱ

We also believe our data centers in metro D.C.—and around the world—position Equinix to be the world’s digital infrastructure company. Our global strategy is to be the company that powers digital leaders, because digital leaders harness our trusted platform to bring together and interconnect the foundational infrastructure that powers their success.

i. “Data Centers,” Loudon Virginia Economic Development, accessed Nov. 1, 2020, https://biz.loudoun.gov/key-business-sectors/data-centers/.

ii. “Northern Virginia Leased Datacenter Market,” 451 Research, December 2019.

iii. Northern Virginia Leased Datacenter Market,” 451 Research, December 2019.